Athletic Gear Support Device

ABSTRACT

An athletic gear support device, including an elongate structure, a first fastener mechanically linked to a first portion of the elongate structure, and a second fastener mechanically linked to a second portion of the elongate structure, the second portion substantially distant from the first portion, relative to a total length of the elongate structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/647,053, entitled “ATHLETIC GEAR SUPPORT DEVICE”, filed on May 15, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosed Technology

The present disclosure relates generally to handling athletic gear, and more particularly, to an athletic gear support device/system/method.

2. Related Art

Athletic events often are associated with players that utilize athletic gear. An example of such athletic events is baseball, in which players utilize athletic gear in the form of a baseball fielder's glove to aid in catching or otherwise stopping movement of a baseball. Further, players of baseball utilize athletic gear in the form of baseball caps which are worn on a player's head. Other types of athletic events use other types of athletic gear, such as, for example, soccer and tennis, in which players utilize athletic gear such as shin guards, tennis rackets, water bottles, etc.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed technology, there is an athletic gear support device, comprising an elongate structure, a first fastener mechanically linked to a first portion of the elongate structure and a second fastener mechanically linked to a second portion of the elongate structure, the second portion substantially distant from the first portion, relative to a total length of the elongate structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed technology, there is a method of supporting athletic gear, comprising fastening an athletic gear support device to a generally immovable object and fastening an article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed technology, there is an athletic gear support device, comprising a first means for fastening the device to wire of a chain-link fence, a second means for fastening to the device an article of athletic gear, and a means for mechanically linking the first means for fastening to the second means for fastening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosed technology are described below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an athletic equipment support device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the athletic equipment support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the athletic equipment support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an alternate embodiment of an elongate structural component according to an embodiment; the athletic equipment support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts another alternate embodiment of an elongate structural component according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 6A depicts an exemplary fastener utilized in an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6B depicts alternate exemplary fasteners utilized in alternate exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6C depicts additional alternate exemplary fasteners utilized in alternate exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7A depicts an exemplary fastener utilized in an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 7B and 7C depict alternate exemplary fasteners utilized in alternate exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict an exemplary environment in which the exemplary athletic equipment support device of FIGS. 1-3 has utilitarian value; and

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary flow-chart for an exemplary method according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are generally directed towards an athletic gear support device configured to be attached to, by way of example, a chain-link fence, and to removably attach athletic gear and related items such as a baseball cap, a baseball glove, water bottles, mementoes, etc.

FIGS. 1-3 depict an exemplary athletic gear support device 100. The athletic gear support device 100 of this exemplary embodiment includes an elongate structure 110 to which two fasteners 120 and 130 are attached. Elongate structure 110 is configured to mechanically couple the fasteners together in a flexible manner such that when fastener 120 is secured to a substantially immovable object, such as, by way of example only and not by way of limitation, a chain-link fence, the entire fastener 130 may be articulated relative to the location to which fastener 120 is fastened to the immovable object.

In an exemplary embodiment, elongate structure 110 is a woven structure such as, by way of example and not by way of limitation, 2-inch polyester webbing of seven panel construction. Such webbing may correspond to that used in seatbelt applications meeting U.S. Department of Transportation regulations pertaining thereto on the filing date of this application and/or variations thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the webbing may be shrink resistant and/or proof, mildew resistant and/or proof, mold resistant and/or proof, abrasion resistant and/or proof, flame resistant and/or proof, and may contain ultraviolet inhibitors to make it sunlight decay resistant and/or proof. In an exemplary embodiment, the webbing may have, for a given section of 1 foot in length, a break strength of about 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and/or 6000 pounds or any strength or range of strengths therebetween or more or less.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the elongate structure 110 includes a plurality of layers 112 and 114. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the layers are mechanically linked to each other at ends of the elongate structure via stitching 116 at one end, and grommet and stitching 118 at the other end, although stitching and/or grommets may be applied at the other ends. In an alternate embodiment, the layers 112 and 114 are welded together. While the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is depicted as a single strip of webbing folded over itself to obtain the layers 112 and 114, in some alternate embodiments, two separate strips may be utilized.

In some exemplary embodiments, elongate structure 110 may be made from any type of fabric, such as canvas, cloth, etc., and may be made of any type of material such as nylon, cotton, silk, etc. In some embodiments, elongate structure 110 may be a monolithic component. The monolithic component may be made of flexible plastic or the like. Flexible metal alloys (e.g., stainless steel, spring steel, flexible aluminum) may be used in some embodiments providing that general flexure is permitted without elastically deforming or otherwise substantially deforming the elongate structure. In this regard, in some exemplary embodiments, elongate structure 110 is elastically deformable.

Exemplary dimensions of the elongate structure, which is depicted to scale in FIGS. 1-3, include, but are not limited to a structure that is about one and three-quarter inches in width, fourteen inches in length, and about a tenth of an inch in thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, the width may be about a quarter to about four inches or any value therebetween in about sixteenth of an inch increments. In an exemplary embodiment, the length may be about five inches to about twenty-four inches or any value therebetween in about sixteenth of an inch increments. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness may be about one-sixty-fourth of an inch to about one inch or any value therebetween in about one-sixty-fourth of an inch increments.

In some embodiments, the elongate structure may have a round cross-section and/or may have other types of cross-sections and/or any other overall shape or configuration. In this regard, FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary plane view of an elongate structure 410 having substantially planar faces, and FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of an elongate structure 510 having a rounded, oval-cross section.

In some exemplary embodiments, the elongate structure is configured to be pierced by a sharp point non-coated 80/12 sized needle upon application of ten pounds of force thereto, such as may correspond to, for example, the piercing component of sport pins 117 and/or merit pins 117, etc. In this regard, some exemplary embodiments include elongate structures such as elongate structure 110 configured to enable a human male citizen and/or a human female citizen of between eight years and thirty years of age or any range therein in one year increments of the United States falling within about the human factor's fifth percentile to about the ninety-fifth percentile, or any range therein (e.g., about 20 percentile to about 30 percentile) with one percent increments, on the filing date of this application, to pierce the elongate structure with a sharp point non-coated 80/12 sized needle with a half-inch circular diameter flat platform mechanically linked to the proximal end of the needle orthogonal thereto, thereby providing a reaction surface (the platform) having at least a modicum of ergonomic utility. It is noted that in some embodiments, the elongate structure may have holes or the like to receive the pins of the sports pins, thus reducing and/or eliminating the requisite force to force the pin through the elongate structure.

It is noted that in some embodiments, such as that depicted in FIG. 2, the support device 100 may include one or more clips 119. Clip 119 is spring-loaded and configured such that the aforementioned fifth to ninety-fifth percentile humans and/or ranges therebetween can activate the clip so that a picture (e.g., a picture of the person associated with the support device 100) and/or a patch or the like, etc., can be removably attached to support device 100.

Any device, system and/or method that will enable the aforementioned fifth to ninety-fifth percentile humans and/or ranges therebetween to attach mementos such and individual and team photographs, memorabilia, and other pictorial or written display items to support device 100 may be used in some embodiments.

In some exemplary embodiments, the elongate structure is configured to receive thereon pictorials. Such pictorials can be indicative of written communication. By way of example, a name of a human associated with the athletic gear support 100 (e.g., first and or last name of a person who owns the support 100) or the like may be printed (e.g., via screen printing) thereon. Alternatively or in addition to this, an indicia of an athletic organization may be printed thereon (e.g., the name “TIGERS,” indicating that the athletic gear support device 100 is associated with a baseball team named “Tigers”). In an exemplary embodiment, the elongate structure is configured to receive, via a writing instrument such as a “magic marker” or the like, writing placed on the structure by hand. By way of example, the athletic gear support device 100 may be configured such that a human associated with the athletic gear support may write thereon indicia of, for example, wins, denoted by way of example by the English language alphabetical character “W.” As may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, in an exemplary embodiment, both sides of the structure 110 may be configured to receive thereon the indicia just described. It is further noted that in some other embodiments, additional structure may be added to the elongate structure 110 to facilitate or otherwise enable such indicia (e.g., material that is receptive to ink applied via a ball-point pen, etc.)

In some embodiments, the elongate structure 110 may be made of any material and/or be of any dimensions and/or any configuration so as to enable the devices, systems and/or methods detailed herein and/or variations thereof to be practiced.

As noted above, the support 100 includes a fastener 120 mechanically linked to the elongate structure 110. FIG. 6A depicts an isometric view of fastener 120. As may be seen, fastener 120 includes a receiver section 122 configured to receive therethrough a portion of the elongate structure 110. Attached to the receiver 122 is a spring hook 124 that is configured to positively retain the fastener to a closed structure to which it is fastened. As will be detailed below, such a closed structure may correspond to the square sub-section of a chain-link fence, where the sub-section is made of galvanized steel having about a ⅛^(th) inch diameter cross-section and/or a cross-section corresponding to any one or more of gages lying in and inclusive of 6 to 12.5 gage chain-link fence. Spring hook 124 includes a hook structure 125A that supports the weight of the support 100 and the components attached thereto, and includes a spring 125B that springs outward against an inner side of the hook 125A so as to positively retain the fastener 120 to the closed structure).

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 6A, the hook 124 is configured to rotate about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure. In this regard, fastener 120 is a swivel fastener that includes a swivel 126 that permits the hook 125A to swivel endlessly (in the conceptual sense) about a longitudinal axis 127 (which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure depending on the alignment of the fastener 120 with the elongate structure 110). Owing to the structure of the receiver 122 and the fact that a portion of the elongate structure 120 is wrapped around the receiver such that the receiver 122 may rotate inside the elongate structure (e.g., the stitching 116 that secures layers 112 and 114 together affords a non-constricting/minimally constricting environment such that the fastener 120 may rotate relative to a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure).

In an exemplary embodiment, the swivel features enables a user to switch sides of the elongate structure facing the immovable object, and thus facing away from the immovable object. In embodiments where text or the like is applied to one side of the elongate structure, this enables a user to control whether the text is visible from one side (e.g., the interior of a baseball “dugout”). In embodiments where text is located on both sides, but the text is different on either side, the user may control which text is visible from one side (e.g., the interior of a baseball “dugout”).

FIG. 6B details some exemplary fasteners that may be used with some embodiments detailed herein and/or variations thereof. These are configured to positively retain the fastener 120, and thus the support 100, to a closed object such as a chain-link fence. As will be seen from FIG. 6B, many, but not all, fasteners have a receiver section that is, in principle of operation, generally similar to that of FIG. 6A. Still, other fasteners utilize a more circular receiver section, as may be seen in FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, such fasteners may be attached in a manner analogous to and/or the same as fastener 130, as will be detailed below.

FIG. 6C depicts alternate fasteners that may be used in some embodiments. It is noted that the dimensions depicted in FIGS. 6B and 6C are exemplary, and other dimensions may be used in alternate embodiments.

Any device, system and/or method for fastening the support 100 to a generally immovable object in general, and to a chain-link fence in particular, may be used in some embodiments.

As noted above, the support 100 includes a fastener 130. FIG. 7A depicts an example of such a fastener in the form of an “S” hook, where section 134 has been closed onto itself to positively retain therein the elongate structure 110 (and grommet 118 if so utilized), thus positively retaining the fastener 130 to the elongate structure 110. Section 132 is open, and retains a general hook-shaped configuration. Such configuration can have utilitarian value in that section 132 may be sized and dimensioned to receive therein a portion of a hat, such as a base-ball hat. Such a portion may include, for example, the hat size adjustment strap on the back of the baseball cap. Such may correspond to two plastic elongate structures configured to mate with one another at a variety of locations therealong, and having so mated at a given location, thus permitting the size of the hat to be adjusted for a given head. Alternatively or in addition to this, section 132 may be sized and dimensioned to receive therein a portion of a baseball fielder's glove (e.g., a tightening strap, leather cords holding the fingers together, the thumb band, a finger hole, etc.). As may be seen from the configuration of the fastener 130, section 132 of fastener 130 is configured for only non-positive retention of the second fastener to a closed structure, this as compared to the spring-hook of fastener 120 detailed above. It is noted that in some embodiments, the fastener 130 is configured to connect to at least some portion of the hat and/or the glove. Any connection to any portion of the hat and/or glove that will enable the teachings detailed herein and/or variations thereof to be practiced may be used in some embodiments.

FIGS. 7B and 7C depict alternate examples of fasteners 130 that may be used in some embodiments. In some embodiments, multiple fasteners 130 may be attached to support structure 100 to facilitate the removable attachment of multiple items.

Any device, system and/or method for fastening an article of athletic gear in general, and a baseball cap and/or a baseball fielder's glove in particular, to support 100, may be used in some embodiments.

It is noted that while the embodiments associated with fastener 120 have been generally disclosed as having the above-mentioned positive retention features and the embodiments associated with fastener 130 have been generally disclosed as having the above-mentioned non-positive retention features (with respect to fastening of the fielder's glove and/or the baseball cap thereto), other embodiments may be the opposite (with respect to fastening of the fielder's glove and/or the baseball cap thereto and with respect to fastening the support 100 to a chain-link fence). Further, some embodiments may be such that fasteners 120 and 130 both have positive retention features detailed herein (with respect to fastening of the fielder's glove and/or the baseball cap thereto and with respect to fastening the support 100 to a chain-link fence). Also, some embodiments may be such that neither fastener 120 nor fastener 130 has the positive retention features detailed herein. In other embodiments, both have the non-positive retention features detailed herein (with respect to fastening of the fielder's glove and/or the baseball cap thereto and with respect to fastening the support 100 to a chain-link fence).

FIG. 8A depicts an exemplary utilitarian value of the athletic gear support device 100. As may be seen, support device 100 is utilized to removably attach baseball cap 890 in a manually controlled clip 119 so as to retain baseball cap 890 to support device 100. Via fastener 120, the support device 100 is positively retained to the chain-link fence 880, which, in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 8A, is 11 gauge chain-link fence, such as may be found as being utilized as a human movement control barrier demarking boundaries of a baseball “dugout” and/or utilized as a human movement control barrier demarking boundaries of a baseball field (e.g., a boundary between spectators and players).

With respect to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8A, the ends of the elongate structure 110 may be moved relative to one another, and thus the fastener 130 (and the cap 890 if so attached) may be moved relative to the fastener 120 (and the fence 880 if so attached), owing to the deformable nature of the elongate structure 110. The elongate structure 110 may be rotated relative to the fence 880, both due the swiveling features of fastener 120 and due to the ability of the fastener 120, in its entirety, to rotate relative to the elongate structure.

FIG. 8B depicts another exemplary utilitarian value of the athletic gear support device 100. As may be seen, support device 100 is utilized to support baseball fielder's glove 892 and retain the glove 892 to chain-link fence 880.

Embodiments may include one or more methods of supporting athletic gear. In this regard, referring to FIG. 9, there is an exemplary method 900 which may entail method action 910, which may include fastening an athletic gear support device, such as by way of example, support device 100 and/or variations thereof, to a generally immovable object (such as, by way of example, a chain-link fence). Method 900 may further entail method action 920, which may entail fastening an article of athletic gear (e.g., a baseball cap and/or a baseball fielder's glove) to the athletic gear support device (e.g., device 100). In an exemplary embodiment, as a result of method actions 910 and 920, the article of athletic gear is movable relative to the generally immovable object while the athletic gear support device is fastened thereto and while the athletic gear is fastened to the athletic gear support device.

In an exemplary embodiment, method action 920 includes hooking the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object. By way of example, method action 920 may be executed such that the action results in the support device being positively retained to the generally immovable object.

Still further, in an exemplary embodiment, method 900 may further include the additional actions of (i) unfastening the article of athletic gear from the athletic gear support device and removing the article of athletic gear from the support device and/or (ii) fastening a second article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device. These actions may be practiced in an opposite order. In an exemplary embodiment, the articles are a baseball fielder's glove and a hat, or two separate gloves or two separate hats, etc.

In some embodiments, method 900 is practice such that as a result of method actions 910 and 920, the article of athletic gear is suspended from the generally immovable object above a ground (e.g., at about eye-level, and/or elbow level and/or hand/level, for one or more of the aforementioned fifth to ninety-fifth percentile man and/or woman) as a result of fastening an article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device.

As noted above, some embodiments of the support device 100 include a fastener configured to swivel. In this regard, in an exemplary method, after fastening the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object (e.g., step 910 of method 900), there is a method action which includes rotating at least a portion of the athletic gear support device relative to the immovable object so as to change a side of the athletic gear support device facing the immovable object, and thus facing away from the immovable object. By way of example, one side of the elongate structure may textually recite the name of a player associated with the support structure, with a background having a first color (e.g., red), and the other side of the elongate structure may further textually recite the name of the player associated with the support structure, with a background having a second color (e.g., black). The person associated with the elongate structure may rotate the elongate structure so that the side facing away from the immovable object (e.g., chain-link fence), and thus visible to people on one side thereof (e.g., inside a baseball dugout), may see the player's name having the given background. For example, a player who has scored may rotate the elongate structure such that his or her teammates may see his name with the red background, signifying his or her athletic prowess with respect to a given athletic endeavor (e.g., scoring). It is noted that in some embodiments, this rotation action may be executed before or after attaching the article of athletic gear to the support structure (e.g., in between actions 910 and 920 or after action 920).

While embodiments detailed herein have been directed towards a support device for use associated with the game of baseball, other embodiments may be used in association with other sports.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An athletic gear support device, comprising: an elongate structure; a first fastener mechanically linked to a first portion of the elongate structure; and at least one second fastener mechanically linked to a second portion of the elongate structure, the second portion substantially distant from the first portion, relative to a total length of the elongate structure.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the first fastener is mechanically linked to the elongate structure at or proximate a first end thereof; and a second fastener mechanically linked to a second end of the elongate structure at or proximate a second end thereof, the second end opposite the first end relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate structure.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein: the first fastener is configured to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein: the first fastener is a swivel fastener.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein: the first fastener is configured to rotate relative to a lateral axis substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the elongate structure.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is configured to positively retain the fastener to a closed structure to which it is fastened.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is a hook.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is a spring hook.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure is flexible.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure is elastically deformable.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure is a woven structure.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure is about one and three-quarters inches in width, thirteen inches in length, and about a tenth of an inch in thickness.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure consists essentially of polyester webbing.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure includes a plurality of layers, the layers mechanically linked to each other at ends of the elongate structure.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate structure is configured to be pierced by a sharp point non-coated 80/12 sized needle upon application of ten pounds of force thereto.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the second fastener is a hook.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the second fastener is an S-hook.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein one or more of the at least one second fastener is configured for only non-positive retention of the second fastener to a closed structure.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener is configured to positively retain the fastener to a closed structure having a circular cross section outer diameter of ¼^(th) inch, wherein the at least one second fastener includes a hook section having an opening having a distance of about ¼^(th) of an inch to about 1 inch.
 20. A method of supporting athletic gear, comprising: fastening an athletic gear support device to a generally immovable object; and fastening an article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein: after the fastening actions, the article of athletic gear is movable relative to the generally immovable object while the athletic gear support device is fastened thereto and while the athletic gear is fastened to the athletic gear support device.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein: the action of fastening the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object includes hooking the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein: the action of fastening the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object includes hooking the athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object such that the support device is positively retained to the generally immovable object.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein: the immovable object is a chain-link fence.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein: the article of athletic gear is at least one of a baseball cap or a baseball fielder's glove.
 26. The method of claim 20, further comprising: unfastening the article of athletic gear from the athletic gear support device and removing the article of athletic gear from the support device; and fastening a second article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein: the article of athletic gear is one of a baseball cap or a baseball fielder's glove and the second article of athletic gear is the other of a baseball cap or a baseball fielder's glove.
 28. The method of claim 20, wherein: the article of athletic gear is suspended from the generally immovable object above a ground as a result of fastening an article of athletic gear to the athletic gear support device.
 29. The method of claim 20, further comprising: after fastening an athletic gear support device to the generally immovable object, rotating at least a portion of the athletic gear support device relative to the immovable object so as to change a side of the athletic gear support device facing the immovable object.
 30. The method of claim 20, further comprising: attaching a written textual message to the support device.
 31. An athletic gear support device, comprising: a first means for fastening the device to wire of a chain-link fence; a second means for fastening to the device an article of athletic gear; and a means for mechanically linking the first means for fastening to the second means for fastening.
 32. The athletic gear support device of claim 31, wherein: the first means for fastening is a means for positively retaining the device to the wire.
 33. The athletic gear support device of claim 31, wherein: the second means for fastening is a means for non-positively retaining the article of athletic gear to the device.
 34. The athletic gear support device of claim 33, wherein: the means for mechanically linking the first means for fastening to the second means for fasting is a means for flexibly linking the first means for fastening to the second means for fastening. 